2006 Educators Conference

My Mission and Vision as an Educator

Center for Education at UTS Barrytown, New York October 13-15, 2006

Conference Report

The Center for Education at UTS, with some 250 participants from around the country and beyond, enjoyed the 2006 Educators Conference this weekend at the main campus. Keynote speaker James Garbarino inspired everyone profoundly with his research into the task of parenting in today's "socially-toxic environment." Thirty-two breakout sessions covered ongoing work in children's ministry, youth and young adult ministry, family ministry and pastoral leadership.

A second-gen general session brought forward deep testimonies of life transformation from Jin Kwon Kim (NJ) and Rachel Curry (Portland, OR). The BFA Reception was a great experience, focusing on families helping each other, and the 2007 25th Anniversary of the 1982 Blessing cruise to Alaska. It was followed by the great music fest. Early morning devotions led by Phillip Schanker, with Harumi Kawamura and Brian Sabourin supporting through powerful multi-media work, brought participants to experience the potential for worship spirituality in a Unification context.

Dr. Michael Jenkins capped off the program with a talk on our responsibility as educators, discussing the larger vision for Unification social development on the foundation of a powerful community life, and concluded by calling the elder generation of leaders to give way to the young generation. The conference concluded with all participants forming a choir in the great apse of the Interfaith Chapel, singing America the Beautiful.

Participants were called to reflect on their personal mission and vision as an educator: what is in my soul? What do I want to impart to others, to children, to society, to the future? We were further called to take faith as a well-spring of my mission and vision that embraces all religions--that uplifts spirituality, the family and the principle of service as universally shared values leading to interdependence, mutual prosperity and peace.

With this spirit, the educators experienced a new level of commitment and vision and announced that it will help individuals and groups who have new educational projects through grants.